The approval is a first in UK, but the technique has previously been used: a baby was born in Mexico in 2016 using the experimental therapy.

It is the first such approval for the UK but the technique has already previously been used: a baby was born in Mexico in 2016 using the experimental therapy..(Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Britain’s fertility authority says it has granted permission to doctors at clinic in northeastern England to create babies from the DNA of three people, to help prevent two women from passing on fatal, genetic diseases to their children.

It is the first such approval for the UK but the technique has already previously been used: a baby was born in Mexico in 2016 using the experimental therapy.